Connector

ABSTRACT

A connector is mountable on a circuit board and mateable with a mating connector along a mating direction. The connector comprises a contact, a housing, an enclosing portion and a coupling portion. The housing holds the contact. The enclosing portion encloses an outer circumference of the housing in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction. The coupling portion directly or indirectly couples the enclosing portion with the housing so as to allow the enclosing portion to move along the mating direction relative to the housing.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

An applicant claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Japanese PatentApplication No. JP2012-222703 filed Oct. 5, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a connector configured to be mounted on acircuit board and configured to be mated with a mating connector.

For example, this type of connector is disclosed in JP-AH10(1998)-106684 (Patent Document 1) or JP-A H10(1998)-172685 (PatentDocument 2), contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

As shown in FIG. 27, the connector 900 of Patent Document 1 is mateablewith a mating connector 940. The connector 900 comprises contacts 910, ahousing 920 holding the contacts 910, and a shell 930 covering thehousing 920. Each of the contacts 910 has a Surface Mount Technology(SMT) portion 912 configured to be fixed on a circuit board (not shown).The housing 920 and the shell 930 constitute a body portion of theconnector 900. The connector 900 has a gap formed between the bodyportion and the circuit board (not shown). The SMT portion 912 of thecontact 910 extends outward of the shell 930 through the aforementionedgap. Accordingly, it is relatively easy to check whether the SMT portion912 of the contact 910 is securely fixed to the circuit board or not. Onthe other hand, the contact 910 tends to be contaminated.

As shown in FIG. 28, the connector 950 of Patent Document 2 comprisescontacts 960, a housing 970 and a shell 980. Each of the contacts 960has an SMT portion 962. The shell 980 is fixed to the housing 970 and acircuit board 990 by using a screw 985 after the SMT portions 962 of thecontacts 960 are fixed to the circuit board 990. The SMT portion 962 isenclosed by the shell 980. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent thecontact 960 form being contaminated.

However, when the connector 950 of Patent Document 2 is installed to thecircuit board 990, it is necessary to fix the shell 980 to the circuitboard 990 by the screw 985 after checking whether the SMT portions 962are fixed to the circuit board 990 or not. Accordingly, it is acumbersome work to install the connector 950. Moreover, the shell 980might fail to be attached.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide aconnector having a structure which allows an easy check whether theconnector is installed to a circuit board or not, and which enables toavoid a cumbersome work for installing the connector.

One aspect of the present invention provides a connector mountable on acircuit board and mateable with a mating connector along a matingdirection. The connector comprises a contact, a housing, an enclosingportion and a coupling portion. The housing holds the contact. Theenclosing portion encloses an outer circumference of the housing in aplane perpendicular to the mating direction. The coupling portiondirectly or indirectly couples the enclosing portion with the housing soas to allow the enclosing portion to move along the mating directionrelative to the housing.

An appreciation of the objectives of the present invention and a morecomplete understanding of its structure may be had by studying thefollowing description of the preferred embodiment and by referring tothe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top, perspective view showing a connector according to afirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom, perspective view showing the connector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top view showing the connector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector of FIG. 3, takenalong line IV-IV.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a structure of the connector ofFIG. 1, wherein the structure has a reinforcement member, a couplingportion and an enclosing portion.

FIG. 6 is a top view showing the structure of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of FIG. 6, takenalong line VII-VII.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a housing of the connector of FIG.1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a contact of the connector of FIG.1.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a mating connector mateable withthe connector of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a side view showing the connector of FIG. 1 and the matingconnector of FIG. 10, wherein the connector and the mating connector arein a premated state where the connector and the mating connector are notmated with each other.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector and the matingconnector of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector and the matingconnector in an incompletely mated state, which is subsequent to thepremated state of FIG. 12, in a mating process.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector and the matingconnector in a mated state, which is subsequent to the incompletelymated state of FIG. 13, in the mating process.

FIG. 15 is a top, perspective view showing a connector according to asecond embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a bottom, perspective view showing the connector of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a top view showing the connector of FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector of FIG. 17,taken along line XVIII-XVIII.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a structure of the connector ofFIG. 15, wherein the structure has a housing, a coupling portion and anenclosing portion.

FIG. 20 is a top view showing the structure of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of FIG. 20,taken along line XXI-XXI.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a reinforcement member of theconnector of FIG. 15.

FIG. 23 is a side view showing the connector of FIG. 15 and the matingconnector of FIG. 10, wherein the connector and the mating connector arein the premated state.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector and the matingconnector of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector and the matingconnector in the incompletely mated state, which is subsequent to thepremated state of FIG. 24, in the mating process.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view showing the connector and the matingconnector in the mated state, which is subsequent to the incompletelymated state of FIG. 25, in the mating process.

FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view showing an existing connector and anexisting mating connector.

FIG. 28 is an exploded, perspective view showing another existingconnector.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that the drawings and detaileddescription thereto are not intended to limit the invention to theparticular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is tocover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within thespirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 1, 10 and 11, a connector 100 according to a firstembodiment of the present invention is a receptacle while a matingconnector 200 is a plug. The connector 100 is mateable with the matingconnector 200 along a mating direction (Z-direction). As shown in FIGS.11 to 14, the connector 100 is used in a state where the connector 100is mounted on a circuit board 500 while the mating connector 200 is usedin a state where the mating connector 200 is mounted on a mating circuitboard 600.

As shown in FIG. 10, the mating connector 200 comprises a plurality ofcontacts 210 each made of a conductive material and a housing 230 madeof an insulating material. Each of the contacts 210 has a contactportion 212 and an SMT portion 214. The contact portions 212 areelectrically connected with the connector 100 under a mated state wherethe connector 100 mounted on the circuit board 500 and the matingconnector 200 mounted on the mating circuit board 600 are mated witheach other. The SMT portions 214 are configured to be connected andfixed to the mating circuit board 600. The housing 230 has an outer wall232 and a bottom portion 234. The outer wall 232 has a rectangularframe-like shape. The housing 230 is formed with an accommodationportion 236 enclosed by the outer wall 232 and the bottom portion 234.The contacts 210 are embedded in the housing 230 via an insert-moldingso as to be held by the housing 230. In detail, the contact portions 212are exposed in the accommodation portion 236 while the SMT portions 214extend outward in the X-direction from the housing 230.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the connector 100 comprises a plurality ofcontacts 110 each made of a conductive material, a housing 130 made ofan insulating material, two reinforcement members 150 each made of ametal, two coupling portions 160 each made of an elastic member which isstretchable and compressible, and a single enclosing portion 170 made ofan elastic member. The housing 130 holds the contacts 110. Thereinforcement members 150 are held by the housing 130 and reinforce thehousing 130. According to the present embodiment, the coupling portion160 and the enclosing portion 170 are formed from the same material aseach other.

As shown in FIG. 9, each of the contacts 110 has a contact portion 112and an SMT portion 114. The contact portions 112 are connected to thecontact portions 212 of the contacts 210 of the mating connector 200,respectively, under the mated state of the connector 100 with the matingconnector 200. Each of the SMT portions 114 has a lower surface 116configured to be connected to and fixed on the circuit board 500. Indetail, when the connector 100 is mounted on the circuit board 500, thelower surfaces 116 of the SMT portions 114 are connected to theconductive patterns (not shown) formed on the circuit board 500, forexample, by soldering so that the connector 100 is fixed to the circuitboard 500.

As shown in FIG. 8, the housing 130 has a protruding portion 136, anouter wall 138 and a bottom portion 140. The protruding portion 136protrudes in the Z-direction while extending in the Y-direction(lengthwise direction). The outer wall 138 is arranged so as to be apartfrom the protruding portion 136 while enclosing the protruding portion136 in the XY-plane perpendicular to the Z-direction. The bottom portion140 couples the negative Z-side of the outer wall 138 and the negativeZ-side of the protruding portion 136 with each other. The protrudingportion 136 is accommodated in the accommodation portion 236 provided inthe housing 230 of the mating connector 200 under the mated state of theconnector 100 with the mating connector 200. The housing 130 is providedwith a receive portion 142. The receive portion 142 is formed betweenthe protruding portion 136 and the outer wall 138. The receive portion142 receives the outer wall 232 of the housing 230 of the matingconnector 200 under the mated state. The housing 130 is formed with aplurality of contact-accommodation portions 144. Each of thecontact-accommodation portions 144 pierces the bottom portion 140 in theZ-direction while extending in the X-direction to both the inside of theprotruding portion 136 and the inside of the outer wall 138. As shown inFIG. 2, the contacts 110 are press-fit through a lower surface 134 ofthe housing 130 in the contact-accommodation portions 144, respectively.As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the contact portions 112 of the contacts 110,which are press-fit, are exposed in the receive portion 142. As shown inFIGS. 2 to 4, the SMT portions 114 of the contacts 110, which arepress-fit, extend toward the outside of the housing 130 in theX-direction. Each of the SMT portions 114 protrudes at least in partfrom an outer circumference of the housing 130 in the XY-plane. As shownin FIG. 8, the housing 130 has four holding portions 146 which areformed at four positions thereof, respectively. The holding portions 146are portions for holding the reinforcement members 150.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, each of the coupling portions 160 directlycouples the corresponding one of the two reinforcement members 150 withthe enclosing portion 170. Accordingly, the coupling portions 160indirectly couple the enclosing portion 170 with the housing 130.According to the present embodiment, the reinforcement members 150 areinsert-molded to be connected to the coupling portions 160,respectively, when the enclosing portion 170 and the coupling portions160 are molded. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the coupling portion 160is located inside of the enclosing portion 170 in the Y-direction(Y-direction) while connecting the enclosing portion 170 and thereinforcement member 150 to each other.

Each of the reinforcement members 150 has a body portion 152, two heldportions 154, and three abutment portions 156. The body portion 152extends along the X-direction. The held portions 154 are formed atopposite ends of the body portion 152 in the X-direction, respectively.One of the abutment portions 156 is formed at a lower part of the bodyportion 152 while the other two of the abutment portions 156 are formedat lower parts of the held portions 154, respectively. The two heldportions 154 of each of the reinforcement members 150 are press-fit intwo of the holding portions 146 of the housing 130, respectively, sothat the reinforcement members 150 are held by the housing 130. As shownin FIGS. 11 and 12, when the connector 100 is mounted on and fixed tothe circuit board 500, the abutment portions 156 are brought intoabutment with the circuit board 500 and connected to the patterns (notshown) formed on the circuit board 500, for example, by soldering.

The enclosing portion 170 has a rectangular frame-like or rectangularring-like shape. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the reinforcement members 150are attached to the housing 130 so that the enclosing portion 170encloses the outer circumference of the housing 130 in the XY-plane.

Each of the coupling portions 160 is made of the stretchable andcompressible elastic member so that the enclosing portion 170 is allowedto move along the Z-direction relative to the housing 130. For example,when a force along the negative Z-direction is applied to the enclosingportion 170, the coupling portions 160 are stretched so that theenclosing portion 170 is moved in the negative Z-direction from aninitial position. In other words, according to the present embodiment, apredetermined method which enables the relative movement of theenclosing portion 170 is the stretchable and compressible elasticmember. This predetermined method may be, for example, a mechanicalstructure, provided that the enclosing portion 170 is movable relativeto the housing 130 along the Z-direction. However, if the predeterminedmethod is realized by the mechanical structure or the like, a size ofthe connector 100 might become large. Accordingly, the coupling portion160 is preferred to be formed from an elastic member. Moreover, theenclosing portion 170 is preferred to return to the initial positionunder a state where the force, which is applied to relatively move theenclosing portion 170, is released. Accordingly, the coupling portion160 is further preferred to be formed from the stretchable andcompressible elastic member which has a restoring force.

As shown in FIG. 3, the enclosing portion 170 has a shape which allowsthe SMT portions 114 to be visible when the upper surface 132 of thehousing 130 is seen along the Z-direction. In other words, when theupper surface 132 of the housing 130 is seen along the Z-direction, theSMT portions 114, which protrude to the outside of the housing 130, arevisible. Accordingly, when the connector 100 is mounted on and fixed tothe circuit board 500, it is possible to check from the above (i.e. fromthe positive Z-side of the connector 100) whether each of the SMTportions 114 is connected to the circuit board 500 or not (i.e. aconnection state between the SMT portions 114 and the circuit board500).

As shown in FIG. 4, the enclosing portion 170 protrudes upward beyondthe upper surface 132 of the housing 130. The enclosing portion 170 issupported by the coupling portions 160 so as to be apart from thecircuit board 500 under an initial state where the connector 100 ismounted on the circuit board 500 but has not been mated with the matingconnector 200 even once. Accordingly, the connection state between theSMT portions 114 and the circuit board 500 is also checkable from alateral side of the connector 100 (i.e. along the X-direction).

As shown in FIG. 4, a size of the enclosing portion 170 in theZ-direction is equal to or more than a distance between the lowersurface 116 of the SMT portion 114 and the upper surface 132 of thehousing 130 (i.e. a height of the housing 130). Moreover, as shown inFIGS. 11 to 14, the size of the enclosing portion 170 according to thepresent embodiment in the Z-direction is equal to or more than adistance between the circuit board 500 and the mating circuit board 600under the mated state of the connector 100 with the mating connector200. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 14, the enclosing portion 170 isbrought into abutment and contact with both the circuit board 500 andthe mating circuit board 600 under the mated state to form an enclosedspace which is completely enclosed (i.e. sealed up) by the enclosingportion 170, the circuit board 500 and the mating circuit board 600. Asshown in FIG. 14, the contacts 110 and the housing 130 of the connector100 together with the contacts 210 and the housing 230 of the matingconnector 200 are located within the enclosed space formed by theenclosing portion 170 etc. under the mated state to be protected from acontamination or the like. Thus, a protection against dust is obtained.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the enclosingportion 170 is provided so as to be movable relative to the housing 130along the Z-direction. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 12 to 14, theenclosing portion 170 is movable in the Z-direction without any extraoperation during a mating process where the connector 100 is mated withthe mating connector 200. In detail, as shown in FIG. 12, the matingprocess of the connector 100 with the mating connector 200 proceeds froma premated state where the connector 100 and the mating connector 200are not mated with each other. As shown in FIG. 13, as the matingprocess proceeds, an upper end (i.e. the positive-Z side end) of theenclosing portion 170 is brought into abutment with the mating circuitboard 600. Afterward, as the mating process further proceeds, theenclosing portion 170 is pressed downward (i.e. in the negativeZ-direction) by the mating circuit board 600 while the coupling portions160 are stretched. Accordingly, the enclosing portion 170 moves towardthe circuit board 500. As the mating process further proceeds, a lowerend (i.e. the negative-Z side end) of the enclosing portion 170 isbrought into abutment with the circuit board 500. As described above,the size of the enclosing portion 170 in the Z-direction is equal to ormore than the height of the housing 130. Accordingly, the enclosingportion 170 receives a force from the mating circuit board 600 evenafter the lower end of the enclosing portion 170 is brought intoabutment with the circuit board 500. As shown in FIG. 14, under themated state where the connector 100 is finally mated with the matingconnector 200, the enclosing portion 170 is brought into abutment withboth the circuit board 500 and the mating circuit board 600 so that theaforementioned enclosed space is formed. Thus, the aforementionedprotection against dust is obtained.

Second Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 15 to 19, a connector 100A according to a secondembodiment of the present invention is a modification of the connector100 according to the aforementioned first embodiment. The connector 100Ahas a structure same as the connector 100 except differences inconfigurations of coupling portions 160A and enclosing portion 170A anda difference in a relation of the housing 130 and the reinforcementmembers 150 with the coupling portions 160A and the enclosing portion170A. Moreover, the mating connector 200 is same as that of the firstembodiment (see FIGS. 10 and 23). Accordingly, in the followingdescription, a component of the connector 100A, which has the samestructure as the component of the connector 100 according to the firstembodiment, is referred to by using the same sign and simply described.In the following description, differences in the connector 100A aredescribed in detail.

As shown in FIGS. 15 to 18, the connector 100A comprises a plurality ofthe contacts 110 each made of the conductive material, the housing 130made of the insulating material, the two reinforcement members 150 eachmade of the metal, four coupling portions 160A each made of an elasticmember which is stretchable and compressible, and a single enclosingportion 170A made of an elastic member. The housing 130 holds thecontacts 110. The reinforcement members 150 are held by the housing 130and reinforce the housing 130. According to the present embodiment, thecoupling portion 160A and the enclosing portion 170A are formed from thesame material as each other.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, according to the aforementioned firstembodiment, the enclosing portion 170 is coupled with the reinforcementmembers 150 by the coupling portions 160. On the other hand, as shown inFIG. 22, according to the present embodiment, the reinforcement members150 is not formed integrally with the enclosing portion 170A and thecoupling portion 160A. As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, according to thepresent embodiment, the enclosing portion 170A is directly coupled withthe housing 130 by the four coupling portions 160A. In detail, the outerwall 138 of the housing 130 has two walls which extend in theY-direction (lengthwise direction). Two of the coupling portions 160Aare arranged on the outside of each of the aforementioned two walls.Each of the coupling portions 160A couples an inner circumference of theenclosing portion 170A with the outer circumference of the housing 130.

More specifically, the coupling portion 160A and the enclosing portion170A are made of the same material as each other. However, each of thecoupling portion 160A and the enclosing portion 170A is made of adifferent material from the housing 130. The coupling portions 160A andthe enclosing portion 170A are integrally formed with the housing 130via a two-shot molding. In other words, the coupling portions 160A aremolded together with the housing 130 and the enclosing portion 170A soas to be connected to the housing 130 and the enclosing portion 170A.

The enclosing portion 170A according to the present embodiment has alittle different shape from the enclosing portion 170 according to theaforementioned first embodiment. However, the enclosing portion 170A hasa rectangular frame-like or rectangular ring-like shape similar to theenclosing portion 170. As shown in FIGS. 19 to 21, the enclosing portion170A encloses the outer circumference of the housing 130 in theXY-plane.

The coupling portion 160A according to the present embodiment is made ofan elastic member which is stretchable and compressible. Accordingly,the enclosing portion 170A is movable along the Z-direction relative tothe housing 130. Moreover, the enclosing portion 170A is returnable toits initial position when a force, which is applied to the enclosingportion 170A to relatively move the enclosing portion 170A, is released.

As shown in FIG. 17, also according to the present embodiment, when theupper surface 132 of the housing 130 is seen along the Z-direction, theSMT portions 114, which protrude to the outside of the housing 130, arevisible. Accordingly, when the connector 100A is mounted on and fixed tothe circuit board 500, it is possible to check the connection statebetween the SMT portions 114 and the circuit board 500 from the above(i.e. from the positive Z-side of the connector 100A).

As shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the enclosing portion 170A is supported bythe coupling portions 160A so as to be apart from the circuit board 500under an initial state. Accordingly, the connection state between theSMT portions 114 and the circuit board 500 is also checkable from alateral side of the connector 100A (i.e. along the X-direction).

As shown in FIG. 18, a size of the enclosing portion 170A in theZ-direction is equal to or more than the distance between the lowersurface 116 of the SMT portion 114 and the upper surface 132 of thehousing 130. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 26, the size of theenclosing portion 170A according to the present embodiment in theZ-direction is equal to or more than the distance between the circuitboard 500 and the mating circuit board 600 under the mated state of theconnector 100A with the mating connector 200. Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 26, the enclosing portion 170A is brought into abutment and contactwith both the circuit board 500 and the mating circuit board 600 underthe mated state to form an enclosed space which is completely enclosed(i.e. sealed up) by the enclosing portion 170A, the circuit board 500and the mating circuit board 600. As shown in FIG. 26, the contacts 110and the housing 130 of the connector 100A together with the contacts 210and the housing 230 of the mating connector 200 are located within theenclosed space formed by the enclosing portion 170 etc. under the matedstate to be protected from a contamination or the like. Thus, aprotection against dust is obtained.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the enclosingportion 170A is provided so as to be movable relative to the housing 130along the Z-direction. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 24 to 26, theenclosing portion 170A is movable in the Z-direction without any extraoperation during a mating process where the connector 100A is mated withthe mating connector 200. In detail, as the mating process of theconnector 100A with the mating connector 200 proceeds from the prematedstate shown in FIG. 24, as shown in FIG. 25, an upper end (i.e. thepositive-Z side end) of the enclosing portion 170A is brought intoabutment with the mating circuit board 600. Afterward, as the matingprocess further proceeds, the enclosing portion 170A is pressed downward(i.e. in the negative Z-direction) by the mating circuit board 600 whilethe coupling portions 160A are stretched. Accordingly, the enclosingportion 170A moves toward the circuit board 500. As the mating processfurther proceeds, a lower end (i.e. the negative-Z side end) of theenclosing portion 170A is brought into abutment with the circuit board500. As described above, the size of the enclosing portion 170A in theZ-direction is equal to or more than the height of the housing 130.Accordingly, the enclosing portion 170A receives a force from the matingcircuit board 600 even after the lower end of the enclosing portion 170Ais brought into abutment with the circuit board 500. As shown in FIG.26, under the mated state where the connector 100A is finally mated withthe mating connector 200, the enclosing portion 170A is brought intoabutment with both the circuit board 500 and the mating circuit board600 so that the aforementioned enclosed space is formed. Thus, theaforementioned protection against dust is obtained.

As can be seen from the above description, according to each of theaforementioned embodiments, it is possible to move the enclosing portionafter checking whether the connector is securely installed to a circuitboard or not. Moreover, it is possible to avoid a cumbersome work forinstalling the connector.

The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments.For example, the aforementioned embodiments are able to be modifiedvariously.

For example, according to the aforementioned embodiments, the couplingportion 160 and the enclosing portion 170 are formed from the samematerial as each other and integrally molded. Similarly, the couplingportion 160A and the enclosing portion 170A are formed from the samematerial as each other and integrally molded. However, the couplingportions 160 and 160A may be formed from materials different from theenclosing portions 170 and 170A, respectively. Moreover, the couplingportion 160 and the enclosing portion 170 may be connected or combinedafter each of the coupling portion 160 and the enclosing portion 170 isformed separately. Similarly, the coupling portion 160A and theenclosing portion 170A may be connected or combined after each of thecoupling portion 160A and the enclosing portion 170A is formedseparately. Moreover, each of the coupling portions 160 and 160A may notbe formed from the stretchable and compressible elastic member. Forexample, each of the coupling portions 160 and 160A may be resilientlydeformed by a bendable hinge. In addition, each of the enclosingportions 170 and 170A may have an electrical shielding capacity. In thiscase, each of the enclosing portions 170 and 170A may be formed from ametal. Otherwise, it is possible to form each of the enclosing portions170 and 170A from an insulating material such as a resin. Thereafter, anouter circumference of each of the enclosing portions 170 and 170A,which are thus formed, may be covered with a foil or may be plated.

Moreover, the reinforcement members 150, the coupling portions 160 andthe enclosing portion 170 may be formed from the same metal as eachother. In this case, the coupling portion 160 may be resilientlydeformed by a bendable hinge.

The present application is based on a Japanese patent application ofJP2012-222703 filed before the Japan Patent Office on Oct. 5, 2012, thecontents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

While there has been described what is believed to be the preferredembodiment of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognizethat other and further modifications may be made thereto withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claimall such embodiments that fall within the true scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connector mountable on a circuit board andmateable with a mating connector along a mating direction, the connectorcomprising: a contact; a housing holding the contact; an enclosingportion enclosing an outer circumference of the housing in a planeperpendicular to the mating direction; and a coupling portion directlyor indirectly coupling the enclosing portion with the housing so as toallow the enclosing portion to move along the mating direction relativeto the housing.
 2. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein: thecontact has an Surface Mount Technology (SMT) portion, the SMT portionhas a lower surface configured to be fixed on the circuit board; and asize of the enclosing portion in the mating direction is equal to ormore than a distance between the lower surface of the SMT portion and anupper surface of the housing.
 3. The connector as recited in claim 2,wherein: the mating connector is mountable on a mating circuit board;the size of the enclosing portion in the mating direction is equal to ormore than a distance between the circuit board and the mating circuitboard under a mated state where the connector mounted on the circuitboard and the mating connector mounted on the mating circuit board aremated with each other; the enclosing portion is brought into contactwith both the circuit board and the mating circuit board under the matedstate to form an enclosed space which is completely enclosed by theenclosing portion, the circuit board and the mating circuit board; andthe contact and the housing are located within the enclosed space underthe mated state.
 4. The connector as recited in claim 2, wherein: theSMT portion protrudes at least in part from an outer circumference ofthe housing in a plane perpendicular to the mating direction; and theenclosing portion has a shape which allows the SMT portion to be visiblewhen the upper surface of the housing is seen along the matingdirection.
 5. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the enclosingportion is supported by the coupling portion so as to be apart from thecircuit board under an initial state where the connector is mounted onthe circuit board while not mated with the mating connector even once.6. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the enclosing portion ismade of an elastic member.
 7. The connector as recited in claim 1,wherein the coupling portion is made of an elastic member which isstretchable and compressible.
 8. The connector as recited in claim 1,the connector further comprising a reinforcement member which is held bythe housing and reinforces the housing, wherein the coupling portiondirectly couples the reinforcement member with the enclosing portion. 9.The connector as recited in claim 8, wherein the reinforcement member isconnected to the coupling portion when the coupling portion is molded.10. The connector as recited in claim 1, wherein the coupling portiondirectly couples the housing with the enclosing portion.
 11. Theconnector as recited in claim 10, wherein the coupling portion is moldedtogether with the housing so as to be connected to the housing.